New Tarred Road between Gansbaai and Bredasdorp Opens

Mayor of Cape Agulhas Richard Mitchell said “Road infrastructure is one of our economic pillars, as it contributes to tourism, connects towns and people with one another, and contributes to a better travelling experience”.

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On 20 October 2015, the Department of Transport and Public Works and the Cape Agulhas Municipality opened the R277 million tarred road between Gansbaai and Bredasdorp. It took 32 months to tar, widen and upgrade the old 62,6 km gravel road between these Southern Cape towns.

Other features of the construction project were:• The upgrading of the stormwater system;• The upgrading of roads in the historic towns of Elim and Baardskeerdersbos;• The construction of a new bridge over the Uilenkraals River; and• The construction of two low-water causeways.

Minister of Transport and Public Works Donald Grant said the road will undoubtedly help to kick-start the economy of the region, and see various industries flourish.“There were benefits for the community during the construction of this project, and there will be benefits in the future. We met and surpassed many of our empowerment targets. A total of 10,11% of the contract value (R18,9 million) was spent on local labour, and an additional R23,1 million (12,4%) was spent on historically disadvantaged individual enterprises,” he said.

Mayor of Cape Agulhas Richard Mitchell said the road opening brings much joy to affected communities. “Road infrastructure is one of our economic pillars, as it contributes to tourism, connects towns and people with one another, and contributes to a better travelling experience. Community participation played a key role and today, all road users can feel proud as they have been a part of this project,” he said.

Lasting local community benefit is a defining characteristic of all projects undertaken by the Department and its partners. This is in keeping with the Department’s mission to deliver infrastructure and services that promote positive socio-economic outcomes and safe, empowered, and connected communities. The road is expected to have a noticeably beneficial impact on the economy of the area, as well as of the Overberg region as a whole.